Alexandra Shulman for Sunday's mail

Published: October 23, 2021, 17:00 EST | Updated: October 24, 2021, 03:46, EST

Alexandra Shulman wrote that many of the properties managed by the trust fund are precious because the experience of visiting made us feel good in a simple way (above)

A few years ago, as part of panic disorder treatment, I listened to a relaxation tape. Imagine a soothing sound suggesting that you are visiting a place that makes you feel calm and happy. 

For reasons I still don't quite understand, the location I imagined is a grassy river bank in Stourhead Gardens, Wiltshire, overlooking a beautiful lake and temple. This is a peaceful and simple place, and has nothing to do with the fatigue of the world and my brain.

Stourhead is one of many national trust properties cherished for this escapism. A peaceful and magnificent beautiful paradise.

At the Cheltenham Literary Festival a few days ago, I met a curator from the National Trust, who had been discussing "the hidden heritage of Britain". 

I asked the audience whether they generally sympathized with the new interpretation of our national treasure based on the legacy of postcolonialism and slavery. She said they used to be, but may be conflicted about hearing it from the National Trust Organization itself.

This is not surprising. I am not an expert in this area, but I suspect that many of us who like to visit National Trust properties do so in a similar way to sinking into a deep and resurgent bathtub.

We like this familiar experience. We like the comforting aspects. We know what we will get. We will be asked not to sit in chairs, wondering why the four posters are usually so small, marveling at the maintenance of the garden-very importantly-searching the gift shop for William Morris printed notebooks, tea towels, and maybe A beautiful tray. This is the point.

We may not be immersed in the 115-page blockbuster National Trust report, which classifies Stourhead as being funded by "history related to the history of expansion and settlement into countries that caused people to be displaced and harmed or created." One of the many properties has unequal economic interests".

This is not to say that re-examining our cultural heritage is irrelevant, but I certainly don’t want to think about it in the Palladian folly surrounding Stourhead.

The reason why so many properties managed by trusts are cherished is because the experience of visiting makes us feel good in a simple way. The National Trust Organization can undoubtedly play a role to let us understand its relationship with our colonial history, but I suggest it not give up providing cream tea and souvenir tea towels.

Stourhead (pictured above) is one of many national trust properties cherished for this escapism. A peaceful and magnificent beautiful paradise

With the advent of autumn, the National Trust property is not the only place where we seek reassuring familiarity. Comfortable, even. Must fight against the nasty night and gloomy sky. Scandi's hygge concept — a retail nirvana by buying large quantities of candles, flashing fairy lights and sheepskins — may be a cliché, but taking out blankets, making hearty stews and making fires is a key part of dealing with the dark winter.

However, stylish modern interior design is not entirely suitable for this comfortable ideal. All these kitchen extensions with plate glass lead to dark gardens, concrete and stone floors, those marbles and Corian islands... it's great in sunny summer, but is winter here? Well, not so much.

Last week, in her TV commentary, my colleague Deborah Rose cleverly coined the term "kitchen island thriller" as the current TV genre. ITV's murderous Holrington Avenue and the expansive and sparse kitchen of the domestic violence drama Angela Black are the horrible backdrops.

I am someone who knows-own a beautiful minimalist kitchen with white walls. But the clock will change next weekend. I long for an old pine table, an Aga and some window frames with curtains. However, at least, I did not succumb to the kitchen island.

In the process of vaccinating Covid, an unlikely match emerged. The alternative right wing is combined with yoga and health clubs. Traditionally, yoga and alternative therapies are considered more attractive to the left. However, due to their fanatical belief in anti-vaccine conspiracy theories and all my body my temples, many practitioners exhibited an aggression that is more common among bald-headed National Front bulldog owners. This is not what you want when you are just trying to perfect your sun salutation process.

Dress in style: The Duchess of Cambridge at BAFTA in London last week. Alexandra Shulman said that the royal family has been considered fashion leaders for many years

There used to be a story-undoubtedly made up-about a fashion designer putting a mannequin of Anna Wintour in their studio, complete with a perfect bob and sunglasses, so they can ensure the design Outfit her personal clothes.

A few days ago, when I flipped through some catalogs and magazines, I remembered this story and realized how many fashion companies seemed to have a showroom dummy of the Duchess of Cambridge when sorting out their collections. She has become a great model of her own style. 

Fashion has become popular in many ways. Sometimes they are brand new ideas, but more often they seem to be adopted by celebrities and gradually become mainstream.

It has been many years since the royal family was considered the leader of fashion. It may not have started in the Edwardian era. Of course, I doubt that the Duchess considers herself one of them. But influential people? That's different. Influential people are not people who come up with new ideas. They don't shake the boat. They just show what's outside in an attractive way. Few people do better than Kate.

I left my wallet on the street the other day. When I contacted my bank and other credit card providers, the person who picked it up had already used it for 12 purchases. 

The recent non-contact consumption limit was raised to £100, which allowed them to have a happy day. Thankfully, my bank has borne this expense, but it must be pointless to make it so easy for others to steal.

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